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WRC team wins the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association’s 2016 Bruce Gardner Memorial Prize for Applied Policy Analysis

The State of Washington Water Research Center team led by WRC Director Jonathan Yoder won the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association’s  Bruce Gardner Memorial Prize for Applied Policy Analysis of 2016 for their report “Benefit-Cost Analysis of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Projects” and related outreach efforts (https://wrc.wsu.edu/2014ybip).  The award was presented at the AAEA Annual Meetings on August 1 in Boston, MA.

The Bruce Gardner Memorial Prize for Applied Policy Analysis Award recognizes outstanding impact on agricultural and related policy, based on sound foundations in economic theory. The purpose of the Award is to encourage sound economic analysis of public policy issues that provides timely and relevant information for more effective public policy and program discussions relating to national or internationally relevant policy issues. The award is intended to focus attention on important efforts in research, education or public service, which facilitate the policy process and improve public performance and understanding. A maximum of one award is given annually. For more information, see

http://www.aaea.org/about-aaea/awards-and-honors/aaea-annual–awards/bruce-gardner-memorial-prize-for-applied-policy-analysis

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Congratulations to Jon and his team!

Columbia River Long Term Water Supply and Demand Forecast Workshops

The Columbia River Long Term Water Supply and Demand Forecast project team is preparing an updated long-term water supply and demand forecast for the Washington Department of Ecology, Office of Columbia River and would like your feedback. The Forecast team includes researchers from Washington State University, University of Utah, Aspect Consulting, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This forecast, updated for the Washington Legislature every five years, provides a generalized, system-wide assessment of how future environmental and economic conditions are likely to change water supply and demand by 2035.

The team will host a series of FREE public workshops June 21st – June 23rd in Tri-Cities, Wenatchee and Spokane.  The purpose of these workshops is to share preliminary results from the 2016 Water Supply and Demand Forecast, provide an opportunity for public feedback and interaction, and gather input on possible improvements for the 2021 Forecast.

What to Expect:
• Presentations from researchers introducing the methodologies used and preliminary results found
• Q&A sessions with the researchers
• Open house, with time to explore results further and provide comments on the draft results

Workshop Details:

  • 6/21 Tri-Cities – 1:30-4:30pm: WSU Tri Cities, CIC Rooms 120/120A, 2710 Crimson Way, Richland, WA
  • 6/22 Wenatchee – 8:30-11:30am:  WSU Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center, Overley Laboratory Building, Meeting Room 102 (Large Conference Room) 1100 N. Western Ave. Wenatchee, WA
  • 6/23 Spokane – 8:30-11:30am: Enduris Training Facility, Training Room, 1610 S. Technology Blvd. Spokane, WA

    • RSVP not required but appreciated for planning purposes: email your name, contact information, and date/location you plan to attend to brooke.saari@wsu.edu or call 509-663-8181 ext. 265.  Those who RSVP will also receive links to the draft and final reports when available.

    The draft report and directions for submitting public comments will be available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cwp/2016Forecast.html. Public comments will be accepted from June 20 – July 20th.

    2016 ASLO Science Communication Internship

    This is a paid internship and carries a stipend of $6000.

    Eligibility: This internship is available to current or recent graduate students in the aquatic sciences. Applicants from outside the US are eligible to apply but are responsible for obtaining appropriate paperwork to work in the U.S.

    Timing: The internship will begin in mid-September and last 14 weeks.

    Applications: To apply for the ASLO Science Communication Internship, please submit the following via email to Adrienne Sponberg, ASLO Director of Communications and Science, at sponberg@aslo.org. Applications must be received by midnight EST, June 10, 2016.

      1. Cover letter (2 pages max) stating your communication interests and what you feel you can contribute to ASLO’s Policy, Education and Outreach programs.
      2. Resume including a list of relevant coursework
    • A letter of support from an academic advisor or other mentor (sent directly by the reference to Sponberg@aslo.org)

     

    Questions about the internship should be sent to Adrienne Sponberg, ASLO Director of Communications and Science, at sponberg@aslo.org.

     

    Climate Impacts to Water Conference: Managing the Uncertainties of Water Supply and Quality in the Pacific Northwest

    January 25-26, 2017

    This conference will focus on:

    • Regional projections of climate and water supply
    • Multiple facets of agricultural water management
    • Water conservation practices
    • Water quality
    • Water policy regulations and rights
    • Regional water projects, research and tools
    • Social science communication concerning water

    For more information

    Carbon – Nitrogen Systems: Policy-oriented Integrated Research and Education (C-NSPIRE) graduate certificate

    This new certificate builds on the foundation provided by the National Science Foundation Nitrogen Systems: Policy-oriented Integrated Research and Education (NSPIRE) IGERT program that provided students with rigorous multidisciplinary training in C and N cycling and an integrated view of C and N science coupled with the ability to effectively communicate with public policy makers.

    The goal of this program is to give graduate students a critical scientific understanding of the elemental cycles and understand how scientific research informs policy needed to address environmental and global change issues.  Participants in this program will receive hands-on training to improve their communication skills and opportunities to practice bridging the gap between biophysical science and policy creation and implementation.

    A limited number of graduate Research Assistantships are available for students in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, the College and Arts and Sciences, the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, and the Individual Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program.

    Applications for the Fall 2016 semester are due May 13, 2016.  For more information and to submit an application, please visit: https://cereo.wsu.edu/c-nspire-certificate-program

    Please join AWRA-UW students and water resources professionals for an evening of networking.

    The event will feature a panel discussion of water resources professionals and a session of speed networking. Light refreshments will be provided. Advice and mentorship from professionals provides students with the information they need to make informed career decisions.

    To register for this event, please go to http://goo.gl/forms/5ILVg8Vr4d
    Professionals interested in volunteering, please contact the AWRA-WA Student Chapter at awra@uw.edu. Thank you!

    Event Details
    Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2016
    Time: 6 – 8 pm

    EXPLAINING THE INTRICACIES OF SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AT DIFFERENT SCALES WITH COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL APPROACHES

    Seminar by Dr. Fabian A. Bombardelli

    Date: Mon., April 25, 2016
    Place: PACCAR 202
    Time: 10:10 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

    EXPLAINING THE INTRICACIES OF SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AT DIFFERENT SCALES WITH COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL APPROACHES
    Examples of multi-phase flows are diverse: dust storms, sediment transport in rivers and estuaries, bubble plumes, and many other natural and man-made applications. To study sediment transport, the field is transitioning from old regressions of last 70 years, to mechanistic models, which combine deterministic and stochastic approaches. For reasons which are unclear, and despite the leadership of civil engineers in the field of sediment transport, the theory of two-phase flows has been developed elsewhere. These models address the interaction of carrier and disperse phases.
    Still, it is not clear what to use for a given level of concentration, and for the objective of a given study. Furthermore, the action of turbulence needs to be quantified carefully depending on the problem at hand, and phenomena such as sediment entrainment need to be accounted for.
    In this presentation, I describe a novel framework to analyze sediment transport, which clearly puts forward a pathway for the analysis of a host of problems. We present the application of this framework to solve the problem of sediment in suspension. For the case of transport of sediment as bed-load, we present a Lagrangian model which tracks each particle individually and addresses the Non-Fickian behavior of the particles; followed by a new computational algorithm for the Basset force. Finally, we describe theoretical and numerical approaches to deal with two-phase flows. The presentation concludes with an analysis of future work and the challenges to overcome

    Examples of multi-phase flows are diverse: dust storms, sediment transport in rivers and estuaries, bubble plumes, and many other natural and man-made applications. To study sediment transport, the field is transitioning from old regressions of last 70 years, to mechanistic models, which combine deterministic and stochastic approaches. For reasons which are unclear, and despite the leadership of civil engineers in the field of sediment transport, the theory of two-phase flows has been developed elsewhere. These models address the interaction of carrier and disperse phases.
    Still, it is not clear what to use for a given level of concentration, and for the objective of a given study. Furthermore, the action of turbulence needs to be quantified carefully depending on the problem at hand, and phenomena such as sediment entrainment need to be accounted for.
    In this presentation, I describe a novel framework to analyze sediment transport, which clearly puts forward a pathway for the analysis of a host of problems. We present the application of this framework to solve the problem of sediment in suspension. For the case of transport of sediment as bed-load, we present a Lagrangian model which tracks each particle individually and addresses the Non-Fickian behavior of the particles; followed by a new computational algorithm for the Basset force. Finally, we describe theoretical and numerical approaches to deal with two-phase

    An Illiquid Market in the Desert: The Role of Interest Groups in Shaping Environmental Regulaton

    A seminar by Dr. Eric Edwards
    Friday, April 22 at 3:10pm in UI Hubert room 27

    ABSTRACT
    We present a lobby model to explain the adoption and persistence of seemingly costly environmental  policies relative to the likely benefits generated. The arguments of the model are illustrated by water  trade restrictions for mining firms in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The area is one of the driest  in the world but also the world’s top copper producer. Due to regulation of access to local water in  the region, firms have begun using desalinated water at a cost of up to $19,542 per m3/day while agricultural  water trades at median price of $343 per m3/day. We explore how governmental maintenance of environmental  and indigenous water supplies through restrictions on water trades causes these large price differentials.  We provide a simple framework that explains how this type of policy can be supported under reasonable  assumptions about lobbying. Interest group lobbying, limited information to unorganized general citizens  about policy costs and benefits, and their associated distribution can lead to strong regulation, even  when the protected environmental areas and agricultural populations are small and isolated. Differencein-  difference modeling of sector prices indicates that after an abrupt increase in regulatory denials,  prices diverged in a manner consistent with the lobbying model. Using market price and desalination  cost data, policy costs are estimated at $6.15 billion dollars or approximately $350 per citizen, which  may or may not equate to perceived general benefits.

    More Info

    WSU Innovators on April 12th – Seattle Marriott Waterfront

      2016 LECTURE
    Stormwater detox How natural infrastructure can help save salmon
    When stormwater drains from roadways, parking lots, and rooftops, it carries a torrent of pollutants into local rivers and streams. The runoff is toxic enough to kill adult coho salmon in just a few hours. The problem is so vast that stormwater runoff has become the biggest source of pollution in the Puget Sound.  WSU scientist Dr. Jenifer McIntyre has discovered new ways to mitigate the lethal effects of stormwater runoff. Her lecture reveals what you and others can do to restore water quality in your community.
    Reserve your seat today Reservations required by Tuesday, April 5. Hosted by your friends at WSU.  April 12, 2016  |  4:00 p.m. Seattle Marriott Waterfront 2100 Alaskan Way

    Add to Calendar →
    Reception to follow, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Gratis for our guests, the reception will feature Chateau Ste. Michelle wines, Pike Locale beers, and locally sourced fare.  Questions? Ann Goos 206-465-5136